A study on serum Iron status and its correlation with hemogram in companion dogs in Ahvaz district

Iron is an essential element for nearly all living organisms. It plays a vital role in many metabolic processes including oxygen transportation by hemoglobin and myoglobin and as a structural compartment of several enzymes. Considering the lack of documented information about serum iron status of dogs in Ahvaz and the predisposing factors to iron deficiency in the region, this study was performed to evaluate serum iron levels and its correlation with hemogram in owned dogs in Ahvaz district. For this purpose, 120 clinically healthy dogs referred to small animal section of Ahvaz Veterinary hospital were sampled. Complete blood counts including PCV, RBC, Hb, MCHC, MCV, RDW, Plt and leukocyte total and differential counts were conducted. Reticulocytes were also counted by examination of vital stained blood smears. Serum samples were subjected to iron, TIBC and iron saturation measurement. Mean serum iron was 81.14±7.29 µg/dl in sampled animals while 20% of dogs were iron deficient based on serum iron levels. Decrease in serum iron was accompanied by Hct, Hb and MCV insignificant reduction (p>0.05) while significant leukocytosis (p0.05) were also observed. However, there were no increase in reticulocyte counts and serum TIBC concentration in iron deficient dogs. Sex was the most important affecting factor on serum iron and hemogram in dogs, as mean iron, iron saturation, hematocrit, hemoglobin and MCH in male dogs was significantly lower than females. No significant differences were detected between small and large dog breeds and between different age groups (p>0.05).